Chandigarh, Dec. 26, 2024 – To address water scarcity and enhance irrigation in Punjab’s agricultural heartland, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government has introduced the ambitious Malwa Canal project, expected to irrigate around 2 lakh acres of farmland. This marks Punjab’s first major canal construction since independence.
The Malwa region, Punjab’s largest agricultural hub, has faced chronic water shortages, especially in districts like Abohar, Fazilka, and Ferozepur. At a cost of ₹2,300 crore, the 149.53-kilometer canal promises long-term relief. Designed with a capacity of 2,000 cusecs, the canal will be 50 feet wide and 12.5 feet deep, with 500 moghas to efficiently manage water distribution.
Stretching from Harike headworks to Warring Khera village along the Rajasthan Feeder Canal, parts of the canal will pass through land acquired from the Rajasthan government during earlier projects. The state government highlighted that the canal’s construction is vital, as high demand on the Ferozepur feeder during the Kharif season often disrupts irrigation in other areas, forcing Punjab to implement canal rotation.
Currently, over 300 lift pumps irrigate areas between RD 7100 to 430080 of the Sirhind Feeder, which initially drew water from Ropar headworks. The Malwa Canal aims to supplement this system, ensuring improved irrigation for regions historically underserved.
Officials stated that the new canal will complement existing systems like the Rajasthan Feeder and Sirhind Feeder, providing consistent water supply to districts including Sri Muktsar Sahib, Gidderbaha, Bathinda, Zira, and Ferozepur. “This initiative is a transformative step for Punjab’s farming community, ensuring fair distribution of water and sustainable agricultural growth,” a government spokesperson remarked.
The Mann administration positions this canal as a vital infrastructure project, addressing both the region’s immediate needs and the long-term sustainability of Punjab’s agricultural sector.
